Gran Selezione: Antinori's Renzo Cotarella Explains

June 30, 2014

Just last year, the Consorzio of Chianti Classico introduced its new designation: Gran Selezione. The new designation aims to raise the quality of Chianti Classico through changing a series of standards and creating a new level in the Chianti Classico quality pyramid. The new rules include that grapes must be grown on the estate and fruit must come from the finest vineyards or parcels on the property. The wine must undergo a minimum of 30 months maturation which includes three months in bottle.

In this video, Renzo Cotarella, technical director at the legendary Marchesi Antinori, gives his views on the new designation. For Renzo, Gran Selezione is a way of narrowing down the qualitative possibilities that Chianti Classico has to offer. Compared with the regular Chianti Classico Riserva, the Gran Selezione designation emphasizes the selective process and the quality of the vineyards that go into the bottling as well as an extended maturation period.

Watch the full video for one of Tuscany's most renowned enologists on Chianti Classico's new designation.

Click here to read the recent report on the first release of Gran Selezione.